DC Aquarium

DC Zoo

Second and Third Shoots

Continuing the new project I went into DC to explore other location options. The whirlwind day began with the ghetto National Aquarium in DC. Buried beneath the Department of Commerce, the aquarium seemingly has found a home thrown together in a dark uninviting space. The collection looks like a large collection of fish sloppily patch-worked together of some private owner. Most tanks seem so barren, small, and uncomfortable. With that said, I still managed to get about 15 editable images. These should be probably edited down to four or five for actual printing.

Note: The thinner glass of the tanks at this aquarium created a very thick horizon. This is nice visually for a few images in the final series; however, I still prefer the thinner and clearer horizon for the majority. I tried to pull back to reduce the thickness but ran into reflection problems.

The second shoot of the day took place at the National Zoo. I wasn’t sure what I was going to get out of it. Tried the reptile house and found it to be very productive because of all the turtle displays. So much construction there that many displays were not on view. I should go back in a few months to see if there are any more that can be shot. The turtles actually yielded the greatest number of exposures throughout the day. From the reptile house I knew I wanted to experiment with the Amzonia exhibit. Originally I thought this place might be my best opportunity for images. Yet, only one of the exhibits on the ground floor really offered anything I could use. The otter exhibit, although void of animals, had a beautiful and a completely different color palette from what I had shot to date. The zoo yielded 26 editable images that will be whittled down to about five or six.

The day was very productive. I need to find other venues that will offer the same style of images. The thought of trying the Natural History museum might be worth exploring.

Images, as edited, will be posted soon.

New Project Update

Did the test printing for the floating black portfolio. Not bad. Good aspects included beautiful rich black borders on the images; however, images lacked the print quality I desire for the final portfolio (ie dark images and tonal balance inconsistancies). Saw other test prints on the Epson 2200 with arches paper and found that the color, tonal, and even a rich black on a matt-ish paper that looked great. The tests on the back to back mounting looked perfect so that looks the way to go. On a last note, I am waiting for a book to arrive on book binding that might be perfect for the final presentation of the portfolios.

Side note: Had an idea to adjust the layout for the Ma house. Essentially, switching the left side, except the sitting room, with the right side, excluding the living room. I like the direct sight line down the right engawa to the back Naka Niwa. This new layout out further privitizes the master bedroom and the office.

Abstract Diptychs

"Realistic" Diptychs

New Project

Sunday, I began a new photo series. Diptychs composed in camera. The first tests were done at the Baltimore Aquarium exploring the horizon lines created by the water line. Images seemed to split into two categories: abstract and a more "realistic." This related to the use of focus and depth of field. Quick notes:

• Focal Planes
• Split image creating in camera diptych, separating the two worlds above and below water line describing these worlds so differently while showing that they are only a thin line apart.
• Horizon created by water line changed due to the movement of the water while re-emphasizing the false horizon/frame line.
• Abstract images have split fields like the realistic ones; however, they become interesting color fields with a relationship to what contains (the water beading on the glass or shallow focus on the front if the water in the scene) the aquarium dioramas.
  

Images will be coming soon. Tomorrow, I will be test printing ten images.